Above: Pending approval by the state, the SEF name will disappear, but it’s programs will continue to be offered through the Southborough Community Fund.
Two of the Town’s big non-profits are working on a merger. The Southborough Community Fund will be absorbing the Southborough Education Foundation.
After 22 years supporting education initiatives in the Southborough public schools, SEF is making a big change. Fortunately, the biggest difference for the public will be in name only.
Behind the scenes, three members from SEF will join the SCF board when the merger is approved. The recomposed 14 member board will work together.
Under its new mantle, SEF’s grants (and even its “Red Apples for teachers” fundraisers) will continue. The upcoming round of teaching innovation grants will accept applications as usual in the spring. (And the mini grant applications will also continue to be accepted year round.)
Meanwhile, SCF’s funding of non-education related programs will continue to be held on their usual fall application schedule. (The most recent application window closed in September.) Those grants focus on proposals related to Human Services, Arts & Culture, Environment, and Community Building.
SEF President Amy Yazdani explained to me that when SCF was founded in 2014, organizers decided to stay away from education initiatives since that was already covered in Southborough through SEF. Meanwhile, the younger organization has proven to be a successful fundraiser for community programs. In it’s six years, SCF has already raised and granted over $400,000 for programs supporting the community.
When SEF faced an issue finding enough board members to continue their work, they turned to SCF about a potential partnership. The boards agreed it was a good fit.
Here is the press release:
The Southborough Community Fund (SCF), a town fund of the Foundation for MetroWest, announced today it is uniting with the Southborough Education Foundation (SEF), a community-based organization, which historically provided funding for innovative and challenging programs to enhance educational opportunities for Southborough students.
SCF is a source of funding to support community needs and opportunities in the areas of Human Services, Arts & Culture, Environment, and Community Building, and provides ways for residents to make an immediate impact in their community. Historically, the SCF has not included Education in its funding initiatives, but the upcoming unification with SEF will allow the Fund to broaden resources and expand its reach of issues.“Founded in 2014, over the six years of our existence the Southborough Community Fund has already raised and deployed over $400,000, becoming a critical resource for meeting growing needs in our community,” said Tom Crotty, Chair of the Southborough Community Fund. “We are excited for the opportunity to combine resources with SEF and provide incremental financial support for initiatives that are important to Southborough residents.”
The merger is expected to be approved by the State by the end of 2020 and three members of the SEF board will join the existing eleven member SCF board. The approach to grant making and timing of grant cycles resulting from the combination will remain relatively unchanged making for a smooth transition and little disruption to historical grantee relationships. More information about grants can be found on our website: https://foundationmw.org/give/town-funds/southborough-community-fund/
“For the past 22 years the Southborough Education Foundation has provided direct funding to educators to enhance the educational experience of Southborough public school students,” said Amy Yazdani President of SEF. “We have been a resource for our community, distributing over $475,000 in grants since inception. We are excited to join resources with the Southborough Community Fund which will only enhance sustainability for the missions of both organizations.”
Combined under the SCF banner, fund raising initiatives employed by both organizations will continue including through various town fundraisers such as Red Apple and an annual town appeal mailing at year end. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the limitations on in-person events, the fund encourages donating through the website: https://foundationmw.org/give/town-funds/southborough-community-fund/
